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Pay your bills on time 2. Keep your balance low in relation to your available credit 3. Make more ...

How can I improve my score?

Your credit score changes over time to take into account current financial behavior and past debt and payment history. While it is difficult if not impossible to change instantly, there are several things you can do to either help or hurt your score.

Factors like when you pay your bills, your debt to available credit ratio, and your history of revolving debt rather than paying it off will all affect your score. Establish a pattern of responsible credit behavior over time, as it takes time to see significant changes in your credit score. Generally speaking, making payments on time, paying off debts, and keeping your debt to available credit ratio below 50% (though 25% or below is optimal) will help to raise your score. Also, because by very nature a credit score takes into account your financial history, if you are new to credit (for example, have just opened your first credit card) it will take time to establish a positive credit history and earn a high credit score. Exercising responsible use of your credit card over time is the best way to improve your score. See sections on 6 ways to improve your credit score and 7 common mistakes that can lower your credit score for more specific examples. Accurate negative information (like late payments) can remain on your credit report for 7 to 10 years, so make sure to use your credit responsibly now.

Inaccuracies on your credit report due to mistakes or identity theft may also adversely affect your score. By federal law, you can request one free copy of your credit report (though not your score) per year from each of the 3 major credit bureaus. If you find inaccuracies on your credit report, you can lodge a dispute to have them fixed or removed from your financial records.